US4594510A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Heat energy measuring system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-03-01
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Granted: 1986-06-10
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Expires: 2005-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A heat energy measuring system which directs radiation through a sample of a combustible fluid and detects the absorbance of at least one combustible component of the combustible fluid at a selected spectral line, there being at least one spectral line for each combustible component to be examined in the fluid. The system also combines at least one heat energy proportionality factor with the absorbance at each spectral line and sums these combinations to determine the heat energy of the fluid. Where the components to be examined are functional groups, the system measures more generally a physical property of a fluid dependent on the physical characteristics of and the quantity of those functional groups in the fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Chris W. Brown
- 👤 Mark A. Maris
- 👤 Donald S. Lavery
- 👤 Bernard Caputo
- 👤 Mark Model
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/22; G01N33/225; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/31; G01N21/35; G01N21/3577
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A system for measuring the heat energy of a combustible fluid comprising: means for directing radiation through a sample of the fluid; means for detecting the absorbance of at least one combustible component of the combustible fluid at a selected spectral line, there being at least one spectral line for each combustible component to be examined in the fluid; means for combining at least one heat energy proportionality factor with the absorbance at each spectral line; and means for summing said combinations to determine the heat energy of the fluid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A system for measuring the heat energy of a combustible fluid comprising: means for directing radiation through a sample of the fluid; means for detecting the absorbance of at least one combustible component of the combustible fluid at a selected spectral line, there being at least one spectral line for each combustible component to be examined in the fluid; means for combining at least one heat energy proportionality factor with the absorbance at each spectral line; and means for summing said combinations to determine the heat energy of the fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
The measuring system of claim 1 in which said means for combining includes means for providing said proportionality factors, wherein each said heat energy proportionality factor relates one of said absorbances to at least one heat of combustion factor for the heats of combustion of one of each of at least one known standard, there being at least as many known standards as the number of said combustible components to be examined, each said component having a known heat of combustion, and wherein each said known standard includes at least one said combustible component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The measuring system of claim 2 in which said means for providing includes a plurality of cells containing each combustible component to be examined in at least one of said cells, each said cell has a known standard including at least one said combustible component.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The measuring system of claim 3 in which there are at least as many cells as the number of selected spectral lines.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The measuring system of claim 3 in which each said cell contains some amount of each said combustible component.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
The measuring system of claim 2 in which the heat energy proportionality factor is determined from the relationship P=HA.sup.t (AA.sup.t).sup.-1 wherein P is a matrix of heat energy proportionality factors p kj , where k indicates one of 1 through K combustible components to be examined and j indicates one of 1 through N selected spectral lines; wherein A is a matrix of absorbances A j i , where i indicates one of 1 through M known standards and j indicates spectral lines 1-N; wherein A t is the transpose of A; and wherein H is a matrix of heat of combustion factors h k i , where i indicates known standards 1-M and k indicates combustible components 1-K.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The measuring system of claim 6 in which said means for providing includes means for calculating said heat energy proportionality factors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The measuring system of claim 6 in which said means for providing includes means for storing predetermined heat energy proportionality factors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The measuring system of claim 6 in which H is a matrix of heat of combustion factors h i , where i indicates known standards 1-M; and P is a matrix of heat energy proportionality factors p j , where j indicates spectral lines 1-N.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The measuring system of claim 9 in which said means for providing provides one proportionality factor for the absorbance at each spectral line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The measuring system of claim 1 in which said means for determining multiplies each absorbance by the corresponding heat energy proportionality factor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The measuring system of claim 1 in which said means for directing includes means for modulating said radiation at a predetermined frequency and means for synchronizing the detection of absorption with said frequency.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The measuring system of claim 1 in which said means for detecting measures absorption at at least one additional wavelength at which absorption by said combustible fluid is minimal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The heat energy measuring system of claim 1 in which said means for directing emits wavelengths including infrared radiation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The measuring system of claim 1 in which said means for detecting detects absorption at at least one spectral line for each CH x functional group of alkane hydrocarbons to be examined, where x is a number from 1 to 4.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The measuring system of claim 1 in which said means for detecting detects functional groups in a sample of combustible gas.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
80 words
A system for measuring the heat energy of a combustible fluid comprising: means for detecting the absorbance of at least one combustible component of the combustible fluid at a selected spectral line, there being at least one spectral line for each combustible component to be examined in the fluid; means for combining at least one heat energy proportionality factor with the absorbance at each spectral line; and means for summing said combinations to determine the heat energy of the fluid.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
80 words
A system for measuring the heat energy of a combustible fluid comprising: means for detecting the absorbance of at least one combustible component of the combustible fluid at a selected spectral line, there being at least one spectral line for each combustible component to be examined in the fluid; means for combining at least one heat energy proportionality factor with the absorbance at each spectral line; and means for summing said combinations to determine the heat energy of the fluid.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for measuring a physical property of a fluid dependent on a physical characteristic of at least one functional group and related to the quantity of that functional group in the fluid comprising: means for directing radiation through a sample of the fluid; means for detecting the absorbance of at least one functional group of the fluid at a selected spectral line, there being at least one spectral line for each functional group to be examined in the fluid; means for combining at least one proportionality factor with the absorbance at each spectral line; and means for summing said combinations to quantify said dependent physical property of the fluid.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for measuring a physical property of a fluid dependent on a physical characteristic of at least one functional group and related to the quantity of that functional group in the fluid comprising: means for directing radiation through a sample of the fluid; means for detecting the absorbance of at least one functional group of the fluid at a selected spectral line, there being at least one spectral line for each functional group to be examined in the fluid; means for combining at least one proportionality factor with the absorbance at each spectral line; and means for summing said combinations to quantify said dependent physical property of the fluid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
88 words
The measuring system of claim 18 in which said means for combining includes means for providing said proportionality factors, wherein each said proportionality factor relates one of said absorbances to at least one factor representing the physical characteristics of one of each of at least one known standard, there being at least as many known standards as the number of said functional groups to be examined, each said functional group having a known physical characteristic, and wherein each said known standard includes at least one said functional group.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The measuring system of claim 19 in which said means for providing includes a plurality of cells containing each said functional group to be examined in at least one of said cells, each said cell has a known standard including at least one said functional group.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The measuring system of claim 20 in which there are at least as many cells as the number of selected spectral lines.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The measuring system of claim 20 in which each said cell contains some amount of each said functional group.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
114 words
The measuring system of claim 19 in which said proportionality factors are determined from the relationship P=HA.sup.t (AA.sup.t).sup.-1 wherein P is a matrix of proportionality factors p kj , where k indicates one of 1 through K functional groups to be examined and j indicates one of 1 through N selected spectral lines; wherein A is a matrix of absorbances A j i , where i indicates one of 1 through M known standards and j indicates spectral lines 1-N; wherein A t is the transpose of A; and wherein H is a matrix of physical characteristic factors h k i , where i indicates known standards 1-M and k indicates functional groups 1-K.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The measuring system of claim 23 in which said means for providing includes means for calculating said proportionality factors.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The measuring system of claim 23 in which said means for providing includes means for storing predetermined proportionality factors.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The measuring system of claim 23 in which H is a matrix of physical characteristic factors h i , where i indicates known standards 1-M; and P is a matrix of proportionality factors p j , where j indicates spectral lines 1-N.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The measuring system of claim 26 in which said means for providing provides one proportionality factor for the absorbance at each spectral line.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The measuring system of claim 18 in which said means for determining multiplies each absorbance by the corresponding proportionality factor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The measuring system of claim 18 in which said means for directing includes means for modulating said radiation at a predetermined frequency and means for synchronizing the detection of absorption with said frequency.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The measuring system of claim 18 in which said means for detecting measures absorption at at least one additional wavelength at which absorption by the fluid is minimal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The heat energy measuring system of claim 18 in which said means for directing emits wavelengths including infrared radiation.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
The measuring system of claim 18 in which said means for detecting detects absorption at at least one spectral line for each CH x functional group of alkane hydrocarbons, to be examined, where x is a number from 1 to 4.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
179 words
A system for measuring a physical property of a fluid dependent on a physical characteristic of at least one functional group and related to the quantity of that functional group in the fluid, comprising: means for detecting the absorbance of at least one functional group of the fluid at a selected spectral line, there being at least one spectral line for each functional group to be examined in the fluid; means for combining at least one proportionality factor with the absorbance at each spectral line; said means for combining including means for providing said proportionality factors, wherein each said proportionality factor relates one of said absorbances to at least one factor representing the physical characteristics of one of each of at least one known standard, there being at least as many known standards as the number of said functional groups to be examined, each said functional group having a known physical characteristic, and wherein each said known standard includes at least one said functional group; and means for summing said combinations to quantify said physical property of the fluid.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
179 words
A system for measuring a physical property of a fluid dependent on a physical characteristic of at least one functional group and related to the quantity of that functional group in the fluid, comprising: means for detecting the absorbance of at least one functional group of the fluid at a selected spectral line, there being at least one spectral line for each functional group to be examined in the fluid; means for combining at least one proportionality factor with the absorbance at each spectral line; said means for combining including means for providing said proportionality factors, wherein each said proportionality factor relates one of said absorbances to at least one factor representing the physical characteristics of one of each of at least one known standard, there being at least as many known standards as the number of said functional groups to be examined, each said functional group having a known physical characteristic, and wherein each said known standard includes at least one said functional group; and means for summing said combinations to quantify said physical property of the fluid.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of measuring the heat energy of a combustible fluid comprising: directing radiation through a sample of the fluid; selecting at least one spectral line for each combustible component to be examined; detecting the absorbance of at least one combustible component of the fluid at each selected spectral line; providing a heat energy proportionality factor between the absorbance at each selected spectral line and a heat of combustion factor for a known standard including at least one combustible component to be examined, there being at least one known standard for each combustible component; combining each heat energy proportionality factor with the absorbance at each spectral line; and summing the combinations to determine the heat energy of the combustible fluid.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of measuring the heat energy of a combustible fluid comprising: directing radiation through a sample of the fluid; selecting at least one spectral line for each combustible component to be examined; detecting the absorbance of at least one combustible component of the fluid at each selected spectral line; providing a heat energy proportionality factor between the absorbance at each selected spectral line and a heat of combustion factor for a known standard including at least one combustible component to be examined, there being at least one known standard for each combustible component; combining each heat energy proportionality factor with the absorbance at each spectral line; and summing the combinations to determine the heat energy of the combustible fluid.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of measuring a physical property of a fluid dependent on the physical characteristics of at least one functional group and related to the quantity of that functional group in the fluid comprising: directing radiation at a sample of the fluid; selecting at least one spectral line for each functional group to be examined; detecting the absorbance of at least one functional group of the fluid at each selected spectral line; providing a proportionality factor between the absorbance at each selected spectral line and a factor representing the physical characteristics of a known standard which includes at least one of functional group to be examined, the functional group having a known physical characteristic and there being at least one known standard for each functional group; combining each proportionality factor with the absorbance at each spectral line; and summing the combinations to quantify the dependent physical property.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of measuring a physical property of a fluid dependent on the physical characteristics of at least one functional group and related to the quantity of that functional group in the fluid comprising: directing radiation at a sample of the fluid; selecting at least one spectral line for each functional group to be examined; detecting the absorbance of at least one functional group of the fluid at each selected spectral line; providing a proportionality factor between the absorbance at each selected spectral line and a factor representing the physical characteristics of a known standard which includes at least one of functional group to be examined, the functional group having a known physical characteristic and there being at least one known standard for each functional group; combining each proportionality factor with the absorbance at each spectral line; and summing the combinations to quantify the dependent physical property.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
107 words
A system for measuring a thermodynamic property of a fluid dependent on a thermodynamic characteristic of at least one component and related to the quantity of that component in the fluid comprising: means for directing radiation through a sample of the fluid; means for detecting the absorbance of at least one component of the fluid at a selected spectral line, there being at least one spectral line for each component to be examined in the fluid; means for combining at least one thermodynamic proportionality factor with the absorbance at each spectral line; and means for summing said combination to quantify said dependent thermodynamic property of the fluid.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
107 words
A system for measuring a thermodynamic property of a fluid dependent on a thermodynamic characteristic of at least one component and related to the quantity of that component in the fluid comprising: means for directing radiation through a sample of the fluid; means for detecting the absorbance of at least one component of the fluid at a selected spectral line, there being at least one spectral line for each component to be examined in the fluid; means for combining at least one thermodynamic proportionality factor with the absorbance at each spectral line; and means for summing said combination to quantify said dependent thermodynamic property of the fluid.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The measuring system of claim 36 in which said dependent thermodynamic property is heat of vaporization.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The measuring system of claim 36 in which said dependent thermodynamic property is thermal conductivity.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The measuring system of claim 36 in which said dependent thermodynamic property is heat capacity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-06-09 | 1989-12-09 | 1990-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-09 | 1993-12-09 | 1994-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-09 | 1997-12-09 | 1998-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |